CNN host Kasie Hunt criticized former President Donald Trump's election eve speech, where he spent a significant portion discussing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool's renovation rather than the impending midterm elections. "Did you catch the midterm message there?" Hunt asked sarcastically, pointing out that Trump dedicated the first 22 minutes of his address to the pool's pipes, grass, and refurbishment.
The renovation project itself has been a point of contention, with its cost ballooning from an initial estimate of less than $2 million to nearly $20 million. Reports of a disintegrating liner and algae growth further complicated the project. Trump had initially blamed vandals, but prosecutors concluded that faulty work by the contractor was responsible. Despite this, Trump reiterated vandalism claims during his speech and even suggested, jokingly, renaming the pool "the Trump reflecting pool."
Hunt also commented on the relatively small crowd at the event, suggesting Trump missed an opportunity to rally supporters in a key battleground state or appear alongside Republican candidates. She described the scene as "just a man in there somewhere standing in front of a pool, asking you to love it."
Meanwhile, former Trump economic advisor Larry Kudlow expressed frustration with polling that predicted significant Democratic gains in the midterms. Kudlow criticized media outlets for reporting on polls, suggesting they did not accurately reflect the situation on the ground. He specifically questioned projections in Michigan, Texas, and Maine, calling the polls contradictory and difficult to believe. This occurred despite Fox News's own rankings indicating a competitive landscape for control of the Senate.
The midterm elections were set to determine control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, with Republicans holding narrow majorities in both chambers. Rising living costs and economic concerns were major issues for voters, with polls showing low approval ratings for Trump's handling of these issues. A Reuters/Ipsos survey indicated Democrats held a lead on the generic congressional ballot, and an AP-NORC poll revealed low approval for Trump's economic policies.